On the first Saturday in May, all eyes turn to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby. Also known as “The Run for the Roses” or “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” this 1 1/4-mile Thoroughbred race serves as the first leg of the Triple Crown and one of the most exclusive social events of the year.
The 2024 Kentucky Derby on May 4 will mark the 150th running of this storied race which began in 1875. The Derby, and its sibling race Kentucky Oaks, sell out every year and are highly competitive on the resale market.
How Much Are Kentucky Derby Tickets?
Each event throughout the week is individually ticketed, minus the final two races. A two-day pass for Derby and Oaks will range from around $200 to more than $15,000 depending on where you choose to watch. Infield General Admission is the least expensive option and is standing room only. There is some limited space in the Final Turn as well, which is also standing room only.
For a seat in the grandstand, you can expect to pay more than $1,000 and prices go up from there for the clubhouse, lounges and suites.
As of April 22, tickets for the Oaks alone are a little more affordable, starting around $75 for the infield. Tickets for the Derby start around $135 with an average price of more than $1,200.
Overall, prices for the race have tripled throughout the last decade with a particularly big jump in 2022. Take a look at how this year compares in the chart below:
| Year | Average Ticket Price |
| 2024 | $1,254.43 |
| 2023 | $1,214.41 |
| 2022 | $1,092.96 |
| 2021 | $735.80 |
| 2019 | $696.57 |
| 2018 | $768.56 |
| 2017 | $497.82 |
| 2016 | $520.03 |
| 2015 | $364.95 |
| 2014 | $378.67 |
Kentucky Derby Schedule
There is a full week of events affiliated with the Derby starting with Opening Night, where post positions are drawn. The 2024 event is the first that is open to the public. Sunday and Monday are reserved for Dawn at the Downs, where visitors can watch Derby and Oaks contenders warm up on the track ahead of the following weekend’s races.
Midweek events celebrate the history of the race and Churchill Downs as a pillar of business and culture in Louisville, Ky. April 30 is 502’s Day, May 1 is Champions Day and May 2 is Thurby.
The Longines Kentucky Oaks is set for Friday, May 3. This race features 3-year-old fillies on a 1 1/2-mile track. It is a Grade I stakes race with $1.25 million purse. The winner receives $750,000 and a garland blanket of lilies.
The Kentucky Derby runs Saturday with a start time of 6:57 p.m. ET. Make sure to arrive early and watch the iconic Derby Red Carpet as each contestant arrives. After the race, the winner is draped with a blanket of roses as the jockey and owners celebrate their victory.
History of Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs opened in 1875 and was named after John and Henry Churchill, who provided the land where their nephew Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. built the racetrack. It is home to the annual Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby and has also hosted the Breeder’s Cup among other Graded events.
Churchill Downs covers 147 acres and holds a capacity crowd of 170,000. The dirt oval track is one mile in circumference and 79-80 feet wide. The twin spires towering above the grandstands, two of the track’s most recognizable features, have become a symbol of the track and the Derby. In October 2013, Churchill Downs also added a high-definition video board dubbed “The Big Board” where guests can get a closer look at the action on the track.
What is the Triple Crown?
The Triple Crown is a collection of Thoroughbred Racing events which includes the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. If one horse wins all three races in a calendar year, they are considered a Triple Crown winner, although the feat is quite rare. As of 2024, only 13 horses have won the Triple Crown. The most recent was Justify in 2018.
The Preakness Stakes are held on the third Saturday in May at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md. The Belmont Stakes are held on the third Saturday following the Preakness at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
2024 Kentucky Derby Tickets
Secure your spot at Churchill Downs and celebrate the rich history of this event with 2024 Kentucky Derby tickets. Visit HotelPlanner for exclusive Louisville travel deals.
